April 17 (Reuters) - Lithium Americas ( LAC )

said on Wednesday it would sell 55 million of its common stock

in a bid to raise more cash, a month after the U.S. unveiled

plans to lend it $2.26 billion to build Nevada's Thacker Pass

lithium project.

The project is expected to run at full capacity in 2028,

aiming to eventually produce 80,000 metric tons per year. The

company aims to extract lithium at Thacker Pass from a large

clay deposit, something that has never been done before at

commercial scale.

The loan, announced last month, is a key part of the Biden

administration's effort to reduce dependence on lithium supplies

from China. The mine is slated to open later this decade and be

a key supplier to General Motors ( GM ).

Vancouver-based Lithium Americas ( LAC ) said shares sold in the

offering will be offered by the company. It would grant the

underwriters of the public offering a 30-day option to purchase

an additional 15% of shares, it said in a statement.

U.S.-listed shares of Lithium Americas ( LAC ) closed at $6.63 on

Wednesday. Post-market, the stock fell 19%.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu

Sahu)